Richard Sherman’s 4-Year Extension Will Make Him Highest-Paid CB

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates as he leaves the field after defeating the St. Louis Rams 20-13 at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Richard Sherman (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

RENTON, Wash. (AP)/1090 The Fan — Cornerback Richard Sherman has signed a contract extension with the Seattle Seahawks that will officially make him the highest-paid corner in the NFL.

The team announced the news during a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

The four-year extension deal is worth $57.4 million, with $40 million guaranteed, according to KIRO 7. The deal will make Sherman the highest-paid corner in the league — surpassing New England’s Darrelle Revis.

It’s unclear whether the deal incorporates the final year of his rookie contract in 2014 or is a completely new deal starting in 2015.

Sherman wrote on his website that there is no other team or city that he would want to play for.

“The goal has always been to stay in Seattle and continue to play for the Seahawks,” Sherman wrote. “With this chapter closed, I can continue to focus on what is important — defending our Super Bowl Championship and being the best cornerback in the NFL.”

Sherman’s deal wraps up a solid offseason for the Seahawks prior to the NFL draft. Seattle re-signed defensive end Michael Bennett before the start of free agency. They then reached extensions with coach Pete Carroll through 2016 and a four-year, $40 million extension with All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas.

Now Sherman, a two-time All-Pro selection, is locked up as well.

In three seasons, Sherman has 20 interceptions, eight of which came in 2013. He also boasts 141 career tackles and 35 assists on tackles.

Sherman was originally drafted in the 5th round by Seattle.

During the Wednesday press conference, Richard Sherman had nothing but thanks and praise for his fellow teammates. Head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider, on the other hand, had plenty of compliments to share about the star corner.

“This is a great moment, but it’s also a great statement about a young man that really demonstrated an extraordinary belief in himself,” Carroll said.

When asked whether the new contract would erase the chip Sherman carries on his shoulder for being drafted in a later round, Sherman responded that “nothing will erase that chip or that mentality” (though Pete Carroll jokingly added that originally Sherman was higher than the 5th round on the Seahawks’ list; it was just lucky that Sherman fell to them.)

Schneider was asked about the Seahawks’ recent extensions and off-season moves.

“I’m very pleased [about] the way the off-season has gone. We’ve stayed by our philosophy; we haven’t wavered. I’m proud of our personnel staff and coaching staff that we’ve been able to stay true to the development of young players so that we can try to take care of our own. Like Richard said, we have the best free safety and cornerback in the league.”

Want to stay up to date with local sports news? Click here to follow 1090 The Fan on Twitter!